Prophecy, Madness, and Holy War in Early Modern Europe

This book provides a fresh and exciting perspective on the religious and political history of seventeenth century Europe by focussing on the life of the German prophet Ludwig Friedrich Gifftheil. Between 1624 and 1661, Gifftheil travelled across Europe, petitioning rulers to bring an end to the continent's endemic warfare. When these requests fell on deaf ears, Gifftheil decided to wage a holy war to establish a divine peace through violence.